MAINTENANCE workers at a hospital may have been exposed to asbestos, health officials say.

Hywel Dda Health Board said it is looking to trace people who worked in engineering areas of Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth.

It stressed that asbestos had not entered public areas and patients and visitors were safe.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is conducting an inquiry into the “management of asbestos” between 2004 and 2009 – before the health board’s formation.

A Hywel Dda spokeswoman said: “The investigation is looking at a number of issues surrounding the management of asbestos and staff and contractor access during this period. I can confirm the asbestos was found in engineering areas of the hospital. The only people who had access to these areas worked with the Estates department or were contractors.”

The spokeswoman added measures were now in place to ensure asbestos was properly managed, and regretted that any of its staff could have been exposed to it.

She added: “We would like to offer assurances the asbestos was not in areas accessible to patients or the public.

“The number at risk is limited to a select group of staff, but if anyone is concerned they can contact the health board directly.”